2nd Amusement Park Accident in 1 Week for SoCal

Barely a week after San Diego’s Sea World amusement ride lost power, trapping four dozen people in midair for hours, another Southern California amusement park has suffered a harrowing midair accident. The Ninja roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles struck a fallen tree on Monday afternoon, injuring four passengers and leaving several stranded aboard the damaged ride until they were rescued after several hours.

Local CBC News affiliate KCAL9 reports that local emergency responders received a call shortly before 6:00 p.m., and that two dozen people were stuck on the ride, as one of the Ninja cars was “seen dangling 20-30 feet above ground.” All of those aboard were eventually rescued, and only two of the four injured needed to be taken to the hospital, according to the KCAL9 report, which added that the ride will be closed pending inspection.

The Ninja is a ride on which passengers are suspended from the track, rather than seated above it. As the Six Flags Magic Mountain website describes it:

There’s a reason Ninja is known as “The Black Belt of Roller Coasters.” This thrill is a suspended swinging roller coaster. There are only four of this kind in the entire U.S. and you’re about to ride one of them. You’re hanging from the track, which on this insane ride is above your head. Shoulder harnesses secure you in place but don’t expect to just sit in one place — you’re going to be swinging all over, a full 90 degrees each way.